Lumbar Spine – Description, Conditions and Treatments

The lumbar region of the spine is located in the lower back and is responsible for supporting the majority of a person’s weight. Since it receives a great deal of stress and pressure, the lumbar spine is susceptible to developing a number of degenerative conditions. These conditions can cause lower back pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, weakness and tingling, causing many patients to seek relief.

Conditions That Affect the Lumbar Spine

A number of conditions can affect the lumbar spine and can occur in both the young and the old. Some of the most common conditions of the lumbar region include:

• Spondylolisthesis – This condition occurs when a vertebra slips over the one underneath it. This can occur as a result of a sports-related injury or from the natural aging process.
• Degenerative disc disease – The soft discs in between the bony vertebrae receive a great deal of wear, which can cause them to become weak over time. Discs also tend to lose water content as a person ages. This gradual deterioration is referred to as degenerative disc disease.
• Sciatica – The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, is susceptible to becoming impinged if a spinal condition such as a herniated or bulging disc is present. When the sciatic nerve is pinched by disc material, bone, or a ligament, then pain, weakness, spasms, numbness and tingling are typically experienced from the buttocks through the back of the leg.

Treatments

Many of the conditions that affect the lumbar spine can be treated using conservative and alternative therapies such as over-the-counter pain medications and acupuncture. Some patients fail to respond to these treatments, leading some doctors to recommend more aggressive options such as open back surgery. The surgeons at Laser Spine Institute perform safe and effective endoscopic procedures, which are an excellent alternative to open back surgery for many patients. These procedures require small incisions and utilize deep IV sedation and local anesthesia, creating fewer risks than open back surgery. Contact Laser Spine Institute to schedule a complimentary review of a CT scan or MRI and to learn more about our outpatient treatment options for conditions affecting the lumbar spine.